Heavy rain forecast for flood-hit Thailand: UN

GENEVA - Heavy rain is expected on the east coast of southern Thailand until the end of the week, the UN weather agency said Friday.

"The moderate northeast monsoon prevails over southern Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand throughout the period," said the World Meteorological Organisation.

"Abundant rainfall is likely over the southern Thailand east coast. Especially in 28 to 30 October, isolated heavy to very heavy rain is expected in Chumphon southward," it added.

"Windwave in the Gulf of Thailand is about two metres high during the period," it said.

The country would also face "above average rainfall" over the next three months, added the WMO.

"In October and November, there is high probability that the tropical cyclones in the Western North Pacific Ocean or the South China Sea would move through eastern and southern parts of Thailand.

"Therefore, people should beware of natural disaster and follow the weather news," it added.

Parts of Thailand have been under water for weeks. The floods, the worst in decades, have forced thousands of inundated factories to shut down, putting more than half a million people temporarily out of work.